A government spokesperson said the ban was aimed at stopping students taking university entrance exams this week from being “distracted”. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Viber have been inaccessible in the Horn of Africa nation since Saturday morning.

"The AU should set up an investigation with a view to examining and bringing to justice those responsible for violations and abuses of human rights identified by the commission of inquiry, including any that may amount to a crime against humanity."

“The Commission welcomes this resolution which fully endorses the work we have done over the past two years,” said Commission Chairperson Mike Smith. “We hope that justice for the people of Eritrea who have suffered gross human rights violations over the past 25 years has now taken a step closer to being realised.”

At least 90 illegal immigrants have been arrested in Misrata, local authorities reported on Sunday. The Fight Against Illegal Immigration Bureau said 97 Eritrean immigrants, including 22 women, were caught red-handed as they were about to launch their journey to Italy from one of the city's shores.

Rights groups and activists welcome the UN resolution, but they call for concrete actions to hold Eritrea accountable. The United Nations rights council has called on the African Union to investigate Eritrean leaders over alleged crimes against humanity after a damning report by a UN commission.

The Dutch National Parliament conducted a session about the influence of the PFDJ regime on the Eritrean community in Holland. This followed multiple examples of intimidation, blackmailing and threats. A series of PFDJ court cases against opponents of the regime also received the attention of the Dutch government and Parliament finally decided to act.